Survey finds 23% of Malaysian consumers use illicit streams

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3, 2019 - (ACN Newswire) - A new study of
the content viewing behavior of Malaysian consumers,
revealed that 23% of consumers use a TV box which can be
used to stream pirated television and video content. These
TV boxes, also known as Illicit Streaming Devices (ISDs),
allow users to access hundreds of pirated television
channels and video-on-demand content, usually with a low
annual subscription fee. TV boxes often come pre-loaded with
illegal applications allowing 'plug-and-play' access to
pirated content. The survey, commissioned by the Asia Video
Industry Association's Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and
conducted by YouGov, highlights the detrimental effects of
streaming piracy on legitimate subscription video
services.

This latest research shows a slight decrease in
ISD usage when compared to a similar YouGov study undertaken
in January, which found that 25% of Malaysian online
consumers used TV boxes to stream pirated television and
video content.

The research also found that 50% of
Malaysian online consumers have accessed streaming piracy
websites or torrent sites to access premium content without
paying any subscription fees.

Of the 23% of consumers who
purchased a TV box for free streaming, nearly two thirds
(64%) stated that they had cancelled all or some of their
subscription to legal pay TV services. Specifically, 34%
asserted that they cancelled their local pay television
subscriptions as a direct consequence of owning an ISD.
International subscription services, which includes
pan-Asia-only offerings, were impacted as well - 20% of
Malaysian users have abandoned subscriptions in favor of ISD
purchases.

In addition to the short-term problem of
cancelled subscriptions is a longer term problem - namely,
many of the people using ISDs are young. The survey found
that ISDs are particularly favored among 18-24 year-olds,
with 76% cancelling legitimate subscription services as a
result of owning ISDs.

Neil Gane, the General Manager of
AVIA's Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) commented: "The piracy
ecosystem is highly fragmented and so what we are developing
and refining is a holistic solution to include enhanced
legislation to allow for effective enforcement; meaningful
cooperation with e-platforms and other intermediaries,
disabling access to pirated content through efficient and
effective site blocking and consumer outreach".

In
February, it was reported that the Malaysian Communications
and Multi-Media Commission (MCMC) and the Ministry of
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) were
conducting an in-depth study on a potential TV box ban.
Currently the sale of TV boxes require SIRIM approvals and
the sale of 'unlicensed' TV boxes can result in a hefty
fine. In June four Malaysian businessmen were charged for
possessing and selling unlicensed Android TV boxes and
audio-video sender equipment and fined RM70,000
(USD$16,500).

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